Before Abu Dhabi became the busy metropolitan city it is today, it fostered a community of homegrown, family-owned businesses such as cafés, restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, textile stores, that were engrained into the social and cultural fabric of the city.
In recognition of their contribution in the last 20 years or more, Abu Dhabi is honouring these establishments as Urban Treasures, which continue to serve the current and future generations of our modern city.
These longstanding establishments have played a valuable role in shaping the vibrant urban culture of Abu Dhabi and contributing to the city’s economy. Today, these hidden gems are considered historically significant in the collective memory of the local community.
To find out more about the awarded establishments, click here.
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DISCOVER
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EXPERIENCE
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LEARN
Family & Education Resources
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UNESCO
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Al Ain Oases
Al Ain Oasis reflects what agriculture in this region has been like for millennia
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Bida Bint Saud
The area was an important stop on a possible caravan route extending from Al Ain to the north of the United Arab Emirates
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Hafit Tombs
This ancient caravan site features Bronze Age tombs and a rare Iron Age mud-brick building and irrigation system
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Hili sites
An elaborate falaj system and one of the country’s earliest mosques make this an important historic site
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Al-Ayyala
Al-Ayyala is an embodiment of United Arab Emirates culture and Emirati values and heritage
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Al-Azi
Al-Azi is inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
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Majlis
a cultural and social space
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Al-Razfa
a traditional performing art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates
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Al-Sadu
traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates
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Al-Taghrooda
traditional Bedouin chanted poetry in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman
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Falconry
a living human heritage
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Gahwa (Arabic coffee)
a symbol of generosity
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- Educators Resource
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Heritage Register
- The game of Al Karabi
- Girls’ Doll-making Game
- The game of hatha bayt mennou
- The game of Maryahanat al badw
- The game of Al Dahrouj
- The game of Al Suwair
- The game of es es see
- The game of Gol tabat
- The game of Haqallah
- The game of Humarat Al Qaylah
- The game of meen darabak
- The game of Motor Bou Ajal
- The game of Tug of War
- Wrestling Match, The Wrestler
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Cultural Calendar
- Summer Art Camp 2022
- Al Ain Palace Museum Summer Camp
- Al Qattara Summer Camp 2022
- Al Ain Palace Museum Winter Camp
- Al Barzah Programme
- Exhibition Critique: As We Gaze Upon Her
- Film Fire Walk with Her Al Sit and Lift Like A Girl
- Homebound Residency Program: Digital Communities
- My Heritage My Responsibility
- National Consultative Council Archival Film
- Rohini Devasher: Contemporary Art between Nature and Culture
- Where is the Gaze?
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- The game of Al Karabi
- Girls’ Doll-making Game
- The game of hatha bayt mennou
- The game of Maryahanat al badw
- The game of Al Dahrouj
- The game of Al Suwair
- The game of es es see
- The game of Gol tabat
- The game of Haqallah
- The game of Humarat Al Qaylah
- The game of meen darabak
- The game of Motor Bou Ajal
- The game of Tug of War
- Wrestling Match, The Wrestler
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-
- Summer Art Camp 2022
- Al Ain Palace Museum Summer Camp
- Al Qattara Summer Camp 2022
- Al Ain Palace Museum Winter Camp
- Al Barzah Programme
- Exhibition Critique: As We Gaze Upon Her
- Film Fire Walk with Her Al Sit and Lift Like A Girl
- Homebound Residency Program: Digital Communities
- My Heritage My Responsibility
- National Consultative Council Archival Film
- Rohini Devasher: Contemporary Art between Nature and Culture
- Where is the Gaze?